Oral Care Implement

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an oral care implement comprising a handle and a head, the head having a plurality of microfiber elements coupled to a first surface of the head with each microfiber element of the plurality of elements comprising a body section, wherein and the body section projecting from the first surface of the head and the body section having a shape for expanding the surface area of each microfiber element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an oral care implement and method of preparation thereof. More specifically, the present invention is directed to certain novel implements and methods for enhancing dental cleaning, including the ability to remove microbial presence from the oral environment and the ability to deliver pharmaceutical or other agents for topical or local administration to enhance cleaning.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Deposits of microbial organisms upon the teeth are commonly referred to as dental plaque. Dental plaque can give rise to dental caries, the localized destruction of the tissues of the tooth by acid produced from the bacterial degradation of fermentable sugar, and periodontal problems such as gingivitis and chronic periodontitis.

Conventionally, oral care implements (e.g., toothbrushes) are used to reduce plaque accumulation around the teeth; however, brushing does not eliminated dental plaque in its entirety. The conventional toothbrush as described above has drawbacks in that it relocates deposits of microbial organisms on the teeth instead of removing them. Although some of the relocated deposits of microbial organisms will be removed from the oral cavity after rinsing, a portion of those microbial organisms remain on the teeth after each brushing event. That is because the elastomeric bristles of the conventional toothbrush lack an absorption mechanism for lifting off deposits of microbial organisms from the teeth completely.

The remaining deposits of microbial organisms will gradually cause plaque buildup and tooth decay in the future. Therefore, a need exists for an oral care implement to include absorption and wiping features for removing majority of deposits of microbial organisms from the teeth, hence eliminating among other things any risk of tooth enamel abrasion or gums recess.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an oral care implement comprising a handle and a head. The head has a plurality of microfiber elements coupled to the first surface of the head. Each microfiber element of the plurality of elements comprise a body section, wherein the body section has two portions—the first portion projects from the first surface of the head and the second portion is coupled to the first. Overall, the body section portion has a shape for expanding the surface area of each microfiber element.

Alternatively, the oral care implement may comprise a handle and a head. Here, the head will have a plurality of microfiber elements coupled to it. Each microfiber element of the plurality of microfiber elements will comprise a body section, wherein the body has a microfiber fabric and a stem element, wherein the stem element is coupled to the head to maintain the body section projecting from the head and the microfiber fabric covers the stem element for the majority. The plurality of microfiber elements will thus be distributed for the majority of at least one surface side of the head.

The oral care implement can be produced by first preparing an oral care implement comprised of a head and a handle, with the head, containing a plurality of microfiber elements, coupled to the handle. Next, prepare each microfiber element to by assembling a body section, wherein the body section has a first portion and a second portion coupled to it. Lastly, couple the distal portion of the body section to the side of the head to maintain the body section in a projected position and shape the second portion in a shape for expanding the surface area of each microfiber element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrates exemplary embodiments; however, they are helpful in illustrating objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, because the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dental care implement.

FIG. 2 is a close up view of the head of the dental care implement.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dental care implement.

FIG. 4 is a close up view of the head of the dental care implement of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dental care implement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-2, an oral care implement 10 for oral hygiene is shown. The oral care implement 10 includes a handle 12, a head 14 for cleaning the oral cavity. In particular, the oral care implement 10 would be used for cleaning the teeth and soft tissue in the oral cavity. While the oral care implement 10 is shown and described as an example of an oral care implement, it will be understood that other implements usable in the oral cavity are contemplated, such as toothpicks, tongue cleaners, etc.

Handle 12 enables a user to readily grip and manipulate the oral care implement 10, and may be formed of many different shapes and constructions including, but not limited to elastomers, polypropylene, SAN, ABS, or even paper products such as typical lollipop stick. While the head is normally widened relative to a neck of the handle, it could in some constructions simply be a continuous extension or narrowing of the handle.

Head 14 has a first surface 16 and a second surface (not shown). The first surface 16 supports a plurality of microfiber elements 18. The second surface may be configured on the opposite side of the first surface 16 and may include a flat surface or it may include a cleaning member such a tongue cleaner, toothpick, etc. (not shown).

The plurality of the microfiber elements 18 in connection with the head 14 would be used for removing microbial presence on the teeth and massaging the user's gums. The plurality of microfiber elements 18 is distributed on the first surface 16 leaving an empty ledge 19 (see FIG. 2) around the first surface 16. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, an oral care implement 100 may include the plurality of microfiber elements 118 distributed over the first surface 116 leaving no edge around the first surface 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, the head 14 may be formed of many different shapes and constructions, including but not limited to elastomers, polypropylene, SAN, ABS, or even paper products such as typical lollipop stick a flat. In some embodiments, however, the head 14 may be one of electric, spinning, and/or sonic heads, or it may be a head having all or some of the aforementioned features. In those embodiments, the vibration from said heads may accentuate the efficacy of the microfiber elements 18 when in contact with the teeth.

Furthermore, each microfiber element 18′ of the plurality of microfiber elements 18 includes a body section 20. As seen on FIG. 2, the body section 20 includes a proximal end 32 adjacent the first surface 16, and the distal end 34. The body section also interfaces with the first surface 16 at the proximal end 32, thereby allowing the body section 20 to project from the first surface 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, the body section 20 has a first shape and a second shape. The first shape is formed adjacent the proximal end 32, while the second shape is formed adjacent the distal end 34. In the present embodiment, the body section forms a bullet like shape comprising a cylindrical portion near the proximal end 32, which transitions into a dome portion near the distal end 34. Aforementioned shape is exemplary and other shapes such as cylinder, cube, cuboid, cone, sphere, triangular prism, dome, square and triangular based prism, hexagonal prism, or a combination thereof may be adapted while preparing the shape of the body section 20. Furthermore, the body sections may be configured in various sizes, dimensions, geometry, and placement in relation to the head.

The height of the body section 20 may adapted to be shorter than the bristles of the conventional toothbrushes. For example, the height of the body section 20 may be less than one inch. Said height would be helpful in placing the oral care implement 10 in the mouth more comfortably.

The body section 20 of the present embodiment includes at least two portions. A first portion 22 and a second portion 24. The first portion 22 may be a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. For instance, the first portion 22 may be a stem element. The stem element may be a stem made of elastomer, potentially thermosets requiring vulcanization, but may also be thermoplastic elastomer, plastic, natural polyisoprene, 4-polyisoprene natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, polybutadien, etc. The stem may be flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, rigid or any suitable material. Besides, the stem can be non-treated or treated with fluoride, flavors, and minerals, organics, or artificial antibacterial agents. Furthermore, the stems can be configured in various sizes, dimensions, and shapes. In some embodiments, the stem may be coupled with the first surface 16, such that the first surface 16 receives a portion of the stem element into a plurality of holes (not shown) defined on the first surface 16.

For instance, the first surface 16 may include 10-50 holes. These holes would receive the stems therein. Further, a bonding agent such as adhesive, glue, epoxy, binder, etc. may be used to affix said stems to the first surface 16. In some embodiments, the stem may be bonded, inserted, tagged, stapled, vulcanized, or molded together with the head 14 using temperature, pressure, chemistry or a combination of these to effect the shaping of the head in combination with the stems.

Besides, the second portion 24 of the body section 20 may be a microfiber fabric. The microfiber fabric may be used to be placed in contact with teeth's periodontal surfaces and other oral cavity structures and surfaces. The microfiber fabric may be polyesters, polyamides such as nylon, kevlar, nomex, trogamide, or a conjugation of polyester, polyamide, and polypropylene. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the first portion may be coupled with the first portion to cover only a portion of the first portion. For example, the microfiber fabric may be placed over, inserted into, integrated with it, or attached to the first portion.

The second portion 24 may be vulcanized to, inserted into, stapled to, or mechanically or chemically attached to the first portion. Alternatively, the second portion 24 may form a shell over the first portion. Furthermore, the second portion 24 may be configured in various sizes, dimensions, and placements in relation to the first portion. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, however, a larger second portion 24 (e.g., microfiber fabric) may be used to cover the first portion 22 for the majority. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first portion 22 (e.g., the stem) may be eliminated, and the second portion 24 may be directly coupled to the head 14. For instance, the second portion 24, made of microfiber fabric, may be mounted, attached, bonded, inserted, tagged, stapled, or vulcanized, or molded together with the head 14. As aforementioned, the body section 20 is a microfiber fabric body directly coupled to the head 14.

The microfiber fabric also may be impregnated with artificial flavors such as mint, vanilla, mineral, and artificial or organic anti-microbial agents such as silver particles that have been reduced in size. The physical properties of microfiber allow for surface protection as germs are prevented from transferring from one surface to another. Because germs are held inside the length of microfiber, cross contamination is not an issue. In the present invention, the microfiber fabrics provide a large microfiber surface for removing microbial deposits from the teeth, thereby allowing more germs to be lifted off when contacting the teeth. In other words, the shape of each microfiber fabric may be configured to expand the microfiber surface area of each microfiber element that encounters the teeth.

Furthermore, as discussed above, the second portion 24 and the first portion 22 may be integrally coupled. For example, the second portion may be attached to the first portion using a bonding agent, such as adhesive, epoxy, glue, etc. These portions may be inserted into each other or affixed to each other, allowing the body section be projected outwardly in relation to the first surface 16. However, in some embodiments, the microfiber elements 18 may be titled in relation to the first surface 16, or a combination of titled and upright microfiber elements 18 may be utilized in the oral care implement as well.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, in operation, the oral care implement 10 can be manufactured by including on the head 14, which is coupled to a handle 12, a plurality of microfiber elements 18. Furthermore, each microfiber element 18′ may be prepared to include a body section 20. The body section 20 may also include a first portion 22 and a second portion 24.

In addition, the production of the oral care implement 10 includes coupling the first and second portions 22, 24 using an adhesive agent as discussed above. The production also includes preparing the first portion 22 to be a stem element, and second portion 24 to be a microfiber fabric. The process of preparing the oral care implement further includes coupling the proximal end 32 of the body section 20 to the first surface 16 of the head 14 to maintain the body section 20 in a projected arrangement with respect to the first surface 16. In addition, the production of oral car implement 10 includes shaping the second portion 24 for expanding the microfiber surface area of each microfiber element 18′.

Lastly, the production of the oral care implement 10 further includes impregnating the second portion 24 with an agent selected from a group consisting of anti-microbial, flavor, and fluoride, or a combination thereof.

It is noted that the embodiments of the oral care implement described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

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 21. A head of an oral care implement, wherein the head comprises: At least one cleansing element, connected to a base of the head, wherein the cleansing element comprises: A first element, wherein a first end of the first element is coupled to the base of the head; A plurality of microfiber element, wherein a first end of the plurality of microfiber element is coupled to a second end of the first element and a second end of the plurality of microfiber element is enabled to contact with user teeth wherein the first element provides rigidity and stability to the plurality of microfiber element for preventing the scattering of plurality of microfiber element, while cleansing the user teeth, and enables the second end of the plurality of microfiber element to penetrate in the space between the teeth efficiently.
 22. The head of the oral care implement of claim 21, wherein the base of the head is made up of at least one of elastomers, polypropylene, SAN and ABS.
 23. The head of the oral care implement of claim 21, wherein the base of the head comprises the plurality of holes so as to enable the coupling of the first end of the first element.
 24. The head of the oral care implement of claim 21, wherein the first element of the cleansing element is made up of at least one of thermoplastic elastomers, plastic, natural polyisoprene, 4-polyisoprene, synthetic polyisoprene and polybutadiene.
 25. The head of the oral care implement of claim 21, wherein the plurality of microfiber element of the cleansing element is made up of at least one of polyester, polyamides such as nylon, kevlar, nomex, trogamide, conjugation of polyester, polyamide and polypropylene.
 26. The head of the oral care implement of claim 21, wherein the base of the head is coupled to the first end of the first element by at least one of the bonding agent adhesive, glue, epoxy and binder using at least one method inserted, tagged, stapled, vulcanized or moulded together using pressure, temperature, chemistry or combination of these.
 27. The head of the oral care implement of claim 21, wherein the plurality of microfiber element is coupled to the first element by at least one of the bonding agent adhesive, glue, epoxy and binder using at least one of the method mounted, attached, bonded, inserted, tagged, stapled, vulcanized or moulded together.
 28. The head of the oral care implement of claim 21, wherein the shape of the first end of the plurality of microfiber element is different from the shape of the second end of the plurality of microfiber element, wherein the shape of the first end of the plurality of microfiber element is at least one of cylinder, cube, sphere, square and the shape of the second end of the plurality of microfiber element is at least one of cylinder, cube, sphere, triangular prism, hexagonal prism, dome and square.
 29. The head of the oral care implement of claim 21, wherein the first element enables the second end of the second element to penetrate deeper in the space between the teeth efficiently.
 30. The method of assembling components of a head of an oral care implement, the method comprises: Coupling a first end of a first element to a base of the head; Coupling a first end of plurality of microfiber element to a second end of the first element, thereby enabling the second end of the plurality of microfiber element to contact user teeth; Wherein the first element provides rigidity and stability to the plurality of microfiber element for preventing the scattering of plurality of microfiber element, while cleansing the user teeth, and enables the second end of the plurality of microfiber element to penetrate in the space between the teeth efficiently.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the base of the head is made up of at least one of elastomers, polypropylene, SAN and ABS.
 32. The method of claim 30, wherein the base of the head comprises the plurality of holes so as to enable the coupling of the first end of the first element.
 33. The method of claim 30, wherein the first element of the cleansing element is made up of at least one of thermoplastic elastomers, plastic, natural polyisoprene, 4-polyisoprene, synthetic polyisoprene and polybutadiene.
 34. The method of claim 30, wherein the plurality of microfiber element of the cleansing element is made up of at least one of polyester, polyamides such as nylon, kevlar, nomex, trogamide, conjugation of polyester, polyamide and polypropylene.
 35. The method of claim 30, wherein the base of the head is coupled to the first end of the first element by at least one of the bonding agent adhesive, glue, epoxy and binder using at least one method inserted, tagged, stapled, vulcanized or moulded together using pressure, temperature, chemistry or combination of these.
 36. The method of claim 30, wherein the plurality of microfiber element is coupled to the first element by at least one of the bonding agent adhesive, glue, epoxy and binder using at least one of the method mounted, attached, bonded, inserted, tagged, stapled, vulcanized or moulded together.
 37. The method of claim 30 wherein the shape of the first end of the plurality of microfiber element is different from the shape of the second end of the plurality of microfiber element, wherein the shape of the first end of the plurality of microfiber element is at least one of cylinder, cube, sphere, square and the shape of the second end of the plurality of microfiber element is at least one of cylinder, cube, sphere, triangular prism, hexagonal prism, dome and square.
 38. The method of claim 30, wherein the first element enables the second end of the second element to penetrate deeper in the space between the teeth efficiently. 